Resources and Downloads
Learning Disability
Jun 1, 2024
What’s a Learning Disability? Research and Policy in NI
What is a Learning Disability?
A learning disability is when a person takes longer to understand information or learn new skills.
This usually starts early in life and is something that lasts throughout a person’s lifetime.
Every person with a learning disability is different. Some people may need support with daily activities like managing money, communication, or personal care. Others may live independently, work, study, and have relationships, but might still need some support.
With the right help and an inclusive community, people with a learning disability can continue to learn, grow, and live full lives.
Learning Disability Research in Northern Ireland
What Do We Know?
- There is no regional Learning Disability register in Northern Ireland, making it difficult for government to plan services properly.
- Research from the University of Ulster (based on 2021 Census data) estimates that:
- 1.7% of people aged 16+ in NI have a learning disability
- This equals approximately 25,750 people
Why This Matters
- Without accurate data, services may be underfunded or poorly planned.
- Accessible information is vital so that people with a learning disability and their families understand their rights and option
Policy and Strategy Development
The Bamford Review (2002–2005)
- A major independent review by the Department of Health on services and laws related to mental health and learning disability.
- Resulted in the publication of Equal Lives in 2005, which set out a 15–20 year vision for improving services and inclusion for people with learning disabilities.
Service Framework for Learning Disability (2015)
- Developed to improve health and wellbeing for people with learning disabilities and their families.
- Aims to promote social inclusion, reduce health inequalities, and improve health and social care services.
Disability Strategy (2020 – ongoing)
- Part of a wider effort by the Department for Communities to tackle inequality and improve inclusion.
- Although the strategy has been developed, it has not yet been published.
- ARC NI continues to advocate for its urgent release and implementation.
What Needs to Happen
- Immediate publication and full implementation of the Disability Strategy
- Better laws and policy to protect rights and promote inclusion
- Data collection, such as a regional register, to inform planning
- Accessible government information for all
- Ensuring learning disability remains a top priority in decisions about social inclusion and care services
- What is a Learning Disability?
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- What is a learning disability? – Easy Read, Mencap
- What is a Learning Disability? A guide for people who have a learning disability – Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust
Learning Disability Psychology Team - What is a learning disability? Explained – Mencap
- Overview: Learning disabilities – NHS UK
- Learning Disability: applying All Our Health – UK Government
- Learning Disability Research
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- Statistics on people with Learning Disabilities in Northern Ireland – NI Assembly (2014)
- What Matters to Me – Patient Client Council (2015)
- Priority issues for people with a learning disability in Northern Ireland – APLDG (2018)
- Learning Disability and Northern Ireland: Achieving proportionate universalism through administrative data research – Ulster University (2020)
- COVID-19 and Learning Disability – Ulster University (2021)
- Looking into why disabled people are not treated fairly and supported to afford the things they need – Equality Commission/Human Rights Commission NI (2023)
- Nothing Without Us: A guide to Co-Production – The Challenging Behaviour Foundation (2024)
- Learning Disability Policy
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- Bamford Review – Mental Health and Learning Disability
- We have a dream – Messages from people with a learning disability to the Bamford Review (2004)
- Equal Lives Report – Review of Policy and Services (2005)
- Learning Disability Service Framework – Standards of health and social care that are both evidence-based and measurable
- Disability Strategy (Still in progress)
- Learning Disability Service Model (Out for consultation)